Capital Weather Gang: March 14, 2010 - March 20, 2010

Spring officially arrives today at 1:32 p.m. and what a day and what a weekend to welcome it. For the fifteenth straight day, temperatures will be above average -- but unlike last Saturday when we were socked in with clouds and rain, today we'll bask in sunshine. Though sunshine will be less dominant tomorrow, we're still looking at much-above-average warmth with temperatures again surpassing 70. Rain is likely Monday, but that's a small price to pay for this glorious weekend.

We wind down the work week on a spectacular note as highs reach the lower 70s across most of the area. It lasts through the weekend -- the first official one of spring -- when highs will have little trouble getting to and past 70!

With sunshine forecast through much of the weekend, and highs near and into the 70s, this perfect to near-perfect weather feels even sweeter after the cold and snowy winter we've had. Yet it coincides with all the madness that comes with the early rounds of the NCAA Tournament. What's a sport's lover to do?

Though we're still about 48 hours off the start of spring, on days like today it's easy to feel like we're well into the new season. Highs topped out right around 70 today and will again Friday and into the weekend!

* A perfect 10: Full Forecast | Local Weather: Antarctic connections * Rare vertically developed clouds over sea ice in McMurdo Sound, in the Ross Sea. Photo by Ann Posegate, courtesy of the National Environmental Education Foundation. In January, I had a great opportunity to travel to Antarctica with the...

* Spring warmth 2 days early: Full Forecast | Winter's abrupt end * Image courtesy NOAA/NASA. CWG's Ann Posegate has been reporting on weather, climate and environmental research based on her recent National Science Foundation-sponsored visit to Antarctica (see previous posts from her trip). The focus of her reports and...

What a string of beautiful days to build up to the official arrival of spring this Saturday! The only question is whether it will last through Sunday. I am betting it can. Many of the computer models are starting to slow down the progress of a major cold front so that Sunday should still be salvaged, although not without some increasing winds and clouds. Monday will remind us that spring is in its infancy with a much cooler and blustery day.

After crushing us December through February, winter has gone away with barely a whimper this March. So far this month, we've reached 50 or better every day except March 2, 3 and 4 -- that's 13 out of 16 days. Recall we hit 50 just once the entire month of February. Last March was much fiercer by comparison, when we only made it to 50 or higher on 6 out of the first 16 days, with a streak of 5 consecutive days in the 40s March 12-16.

It's been a long, snowy and consistently cold winter. So who can blame us for being downright giddy about the forecast over the next several days, which features abundant sun and the chance to reach 70 for the first time since Nov. 16 (at Reagan National Airport).

Snowpack is defined as layers of snow that accumulate on the ground from multiple snowfalls. We had four accumulating snowfalls during late January and early February that created a snowpack of two feet or more across much the Washington area. BWI recorded a snow depth of 34" on February 11 and Dulles Airport recorded a snow depth of 26" on February 10. Our area's snow depth rivaled, and in some cases surpassed, the snowpack from the historic winter of February 1899. At my house near Oakton, VA, the snowpack peaked close to 28".

On early Sunday morning, most of the United States, save Hawaii and most of Arizona, sprung an hour ahead to Daylight Saving Time (DST), losing an hour of sleep in the process. However, when it came to weather observations and forecasting, the National Weather Service did not change its clocks this past weekend. Nor will it do so in November.

Yes, when you look out the window this morning, you will probably question today's headline, but we just have to be patient a little bit longer. The wet drudgery of the last several days is coming to a close with skies actually starting to clear some this afternoon. The chances of significant sun soar tomorrow as our pesky system finally goes far away. Day time temperatures will return to normal and then above normal levels as this week progresses. And I'm keeping that chance for 70 degrees with sun on Saturday. Yeah, we earned it.

Just a bit of rain moved through midday, otherwise it has been another cloudy and cool one around here. Afternoon readings in the upper 40s and low 50s are about 5 degrees below the quickly rising average high temperature for the date.

* Sunny & warmer by midweek: CWG's Full Forecast * Average surface temperature departures from average (in degrees Celsius) during the period from Dec. 2009-Feb. 2010 (includes sea-surface temperature). Credit: NASA GISS. The data is in on the wild winter of 2009-2010, and you don't need me to tell you...

I imagine many of us are growing weary of this gray, depressing weather pattern and are ready for some sunshine. It's coming but we'll have to get through one more day of soupy, overcast conditions before the sun makes its return tomorrow. Then we're looking at an extended period of sunshine and warming temperatures right on through Saturday.

Rivers are on the rise today while showers, breezes, and overcast skies persist. Even tomorrow we'll have a tough time shedding the clouds and dampness. Can you hold out until Tuesday? We'll emerge back into a decent, sunny, streak of weather with temperatures closing in on 60. Oh! Did you turn clocks one-hour ahead last night? Daylight savings time starts today.

Flood Warnings and Coastal Flood Warnings are in effect for rivers throughout the area as they continue to rise, and also along the Chesapeake Bay. Mostly minor to moderate is already happening or forecast between tonight and Tuesday along the metro area portions of the Potomac.